I'm Darryl Edwards, a natural movement therapist, paleo clinical nutritionist, blogger and published author based in London, England.  This blog documents my experiences with a primal lifestyle that has made me fitter and healthier in my forties than ever before.  I am a contributor to Paleo Magazine and presenter at various symposiums such as Paleo:f(x), PrimalCon and other events globally.

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Reading List
  • Paleo Fitness - A Primal Training and Nutrition Program to Get Lean, Strong and Healthy
    Paleo Fitness - A Primal Training and Nutrition Program to Get Lean, Strong and Healthy
    by Darryl Edwards, Brett Stewart, Jason Warner
  • The Paleo Solution
    The Paleo Solution
    by Robb Wolf

    Paleo for weight loss, performance and disease prevention. Read my full review here.

  • Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers
    Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers
    by Robert M. Sapolsky

    The impact of too much stress in our lives - impotence, obesity, heart disease and much more...

  • The Primal Blueprint: Reprogram Your Genes for Effortless Weight Loss, Vibrant Health, and Boundless Energy
    The Primal Blueprint: Reprogram Your Genes for Effortless Weight Loss, Vibrant Health, and Boundless Energy
    by Mark Sisson

    Usually we have to go back to basics to progress, this is a great place to start!

  • Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things
    Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things
    by Rick Smith, Bruce Lourie, Sarah Dopp

    "Think about the toxic chemicals you put onto your body, and are exposed to on a daily basis.  Frankly, quite worrying..."

  • Protein Power
    Protein Power
    by Michael R. Eades, Mary Dan Eades, Mary Deans

    First published in the mid 1990s.  Amongst other things, disputes the 'fat intake causes obesity' argument and reasons why the high carb/low-fat diet doesn't work.

  • Born to Run: The Hidden Tribe, the Ultra-Runners, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
    Born to Run: The Hidden Tribe, the Ultra-Runners, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
    by Christopher McDougall

    An inspirational read, whether you are a 'runner' or not.  This book also investigates why expensive 'cushioned' running shoes increases the likelihood of injury.

  • In Defence of Food: The Myth of Nutrition and the Pleasures of Eating: An Eater's Manifesto
    In Defence of Food: The Myth of Nutrition and the Pleasures of Eating: An Eater's Manifesto
    by Michael Pollan

    An insight into real, simple and nutritious food.  Insightful.

  • Food Rules: An Eater's Manual
    Food Rules: An Eater's Manual
    by Michael Pollan

    An excellent, non-scientific common sense quick reference to the often confusing question : "What should I eat?"

  • The Paleo Diet for Athletes
    The Paleo Diet for Athletes
    by L. Cordain

    An alternative to Cordain's first book "The Paleo Diet" if who want to consider the impact of Paleo on athletic performance.  It is geared towards endurance athletes but an interesting read nonetheless.

  • Vegetarian Myth, The
    Vegetarian Myth, The
    by Lierre Keith

    I'm an omnivore.  I believe it is healthy to eat naturally-reared meat, non-farmed fish as well as a wide variety of fresh vegetables.  This book is an interesting read and has a lot to say about why becoming a vegetarian isn't necessarily the best option for humans.  However read this, do your own research and make up your own mind.

  • The Second Brain
    The Second Brain
    by Michael D. Gershon

    A discussion about the complex nervous system working in the gut, which produces neurotransmitters such as serotonin.  In fact much more serotonin is produced in the gut than the brain!

  • The Rise and Fall of Modern Medicine
    The Rise and Fall of Modern Medicine
    by James Le Fanu
  • Swindled: From Poison Sweets to Counterfeit Coffee - The Dark History of the Food Cheats
    Swindled: From Poison Sweets to Counterfeit Coffee - The Dark History of the Food Cheats
    by Bee Wilson
  • Cancer: The Evolutionary Legacy
    Cancer: The Evolutionary Legacy
    by M.F. Greaves
  • The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Foods You Were Designed to Eat
    The Paleo Diet: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Foods You Were Designed to Eat
    by Loren Cordain

    This provides extraordinary insight into the reasons behind adopting a paleolithic diet.  Some aspects are controversial and many may feel it is too dogmatic.  I have often gone back to this book and re-read it for clarification as Dr Loren Cordain is often mis-quoted.  There is now a revised edition (2010 edition) to counter some of its earlier criticisms, this is an excellent resource and a must-read for any one serious about paleo nutrition.

  • Lore of Running
    Lore of Running
    by Tim Noakes

    This book offers a comprehensive insight into the science, coaching and discipline of running.  Energy systems, coaching and training.  Often quoted as the bible of running.

Thursday
Nov182010

Workout: Tabata Thursday II

Workout: Tabata Thursday

 Warmup:

 

Workout: 

Tabata Intervals (A 20 minute workout - including rest periods)

  • 20 sec Bear Crawl, 10 sec Rest - (repeat for 8 rounds).
  • rest - 1 minute
  • 20 sec Double Unders*, 10s rest - (repeat for 8 rounds)
  • rest - 1 minute
  • 20 sec Bar Muscle Ups**, 10s rest - (repeat for 8 rounds)
  • rest - 1 minute
  • 20 sec Burpee Push-Up (w/ 2 push-ups), 10 sec rest - (repeat for 8 rounds)
  • rest - 1 minute

Notes:

  • Perform flat out maximum effort for the 20 seconds of work
  • * - if you don't have access to a skipping rope, perform high knee jumps
  • ** - muscle ups not possible, do Air Squats
Wednesday
Nov172010

Workout: Shoulder Press 5 x 5

Warmup:

Workout: 

Work up to as heavy as you can manage for 5 reps. 

  • 5 sets x 5 reps Shoulder (Military) Press (rest 2 minutes between sets)

Finisher:

Treadmill Drivers (5 x 10 second rounds)

Monday
Nov152010

Video: A Time to Work Out: A Time to Play Out

A Time to Work Out: A Time to Play Out

Here's is my latest video with some of the workouts recorded recently in the local park (and other outdoor locations).  It's a composite (and does contain a little old footage), but most of it is new.

I wanted to provide an honest portrayal - some of these workouts were captured on the first take rather than edited to appear perfect.

Exercise is Boring:

For some exercise isn't exciting.  In the most part I agree.  Exercise can be mundane and boring.  The word exercise or workout implies difficulty even before we start.  But maybe our current views on fitness require some balance.  

At times we should treat activity as a child does:

Let's try something different:

  • stop counting reps;
  • stop looking at stopwatches;
  • stop wondering how heavy it is;
  • stop analysing what muscles are working;
  • stop focusing on the objective;
  • stop focussing on failure;
  • start focusing on the movement;
  • start enjoying the moment;
  • start being imaginative;
  • start enjoying the activity;
  • start focussing on progress;
  • start seeing movement as rewarding, not punishing;
  • start playing and stop working.

There are times to work, and times to play.  There are times to grimace and times to smile.  Today is playtime.

Saturday
Nov132010

Workout: Outdoor - Autumn Bliss

 Warmup:

Workout: